Next Stop 1900–1939

Events

The Franklin County Fair began in the mid 1800s, but the first fair in Hilliard’s fairgrounds was in 1918.

Homes and businesses continued to be built in the area in the early 1900s. The bank on the corner of Norwich and Main St was built in 1914.

Many new services began in the early 1900s. The telephone, electricity and gas service helped to make life in Northwest Franklin County more comfortable and encouraged more people to move here.

This map of Franklin County not only shows roads, but the red lines show where electric lines had been run.

You can learn more about the businesses and services of Northwest Franklin County in the Services and Business section of the timeline!

Life

The Village of Hilliards had to plan a budget for all of the activities and improvements in the town. The village’s budget for 1932 spent $4250. This included the mayor’s salary of $150 and fuel costs of $10.78.

In the early 1900s, Main Street had a bank, a church, three general stores, an ice cream parlor, barber shop, meat market, garage, a pool room and a hardware store. Across from the bank was the town water pump and watering trough because there was no running water in homes yet.

The Pennsylvania Railroad intersected Main Street in the middle of Hilliard. The railroad connected us to the rest of the world. The mail train would hook the mail bag onto the mail arm as the train sped past. The mail was then delivered to the Post Office, which was located in Winterringer's General Store. There were two very important trains that stopped every day. The 8 o'clock morning train took people to work or to shop in Columbus. Those people then returned to Hilliard on the 5:20 evening train. That train brought newspapers and freight as well as passengers.

The Winterringer store faced the railroad. They sold clothing and shoes. But the most interesting thing was the peanut roasting machine that filled the whole town with the mouthwatering aroma of roasting peanuts.

Back of Alder's Hardware store was a blacksmith shop owned and operated by Mr. Ben Frank. He was a big, not very friendly man. The kids pretty much kept their distance from him but they loved watching him work. The flame and sparks from the forge were wonderful to see. They also like to watch him nail shoes on horses.

There is a great article on life in Hilliard below!

Growth

Northwest Franklin County grew slowly during this time period. World War I, illnesses and the Depression took their toll on the area. Hilliard grew from 400 in 1900 to about 600 in 1940. Hilliard suffered greatly during the wars years, especially 1918 and the "flu' epidemic. Many young and old died. It was a sad time. People suffered with the illness and with the grief for the loss of friends and loved ones and the worry about our soldier boys fighting overseas. Toward the end of the war Hilliard's young Dr. Renner was killed.

What’s Happening in the US and the World

World War I (1914-1918)
The Great Depression (1929-1939) was a time when many people were out of work and there was a lot of poverty.

You will find many more stories, pictures and articles on our journey through Northwest Franklin County in the topics across the top of the timeline! All aboard!